Rectifier roll support

ABSTRACT

A rectifier roll employs a hub insert assembly to provide positive alignment of the roll and journal for eliminating any eccentricity which would result in roll bounce or run out and a pivotal drive engagement of the hub which permits the roll to deflect without imposing severe stress or strain on the separator tips which attach the end plate of the roll to the cylindrical shell of the roll.

United States Patent Inventors James H. Brewer [56] References Cited y. Quebec; UNITED STATES PATENTS i ggg Quebec 2,796,750 6/1957 Crankshaw 41964 H pp NO. 773,806 3.128.612 filjlllS Filed Nov. 6, 1968 1 Primary Examiner-Mark M. Newman Patented July 13, 1971 Assistant ExaminerRandall Heald Assignee Beloit Corporation Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson Beloit, Wis.

ABSTRACT: A rectifier roll employs a hub insert assembly to I provide positive alignment of the roll and journal for eliminat- "wing ing any eccentricity which would result in roll bounce or run U.S. Cl 64/8 R out and a pivotal drive engagement of the hub which permits Fl6d 3/16 the roll to deflect without imposing severe stress or strain on 64/8, 5, 7, the separator tips which attach the end plate of the roll to the l, 14 cylindrical shell of the roll.

49 45 a! 34 47 .29 64 59 4a 62 35 69 g RECTIFIER ROLL SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a flow evener type of stock inlet for a paper-making machine, and more particularly to a support for a rectifier roll employed in such a flow evener device.

2. Description of the Prior Art g The use of rectifier roll to cause uniform stock flow is well understood in the art. Such rectifier rollsicomprise a radially perforated cylindrical tube, which usually has a plurality of discs or radial baffles extending across the interior of the tube and axially spaced along the length thereof; but which does not have an axially aligned shaft passing through the center of the tube. Instead, the tube is equipped with heads at opposite ends thereof and the heads are provided with shafts which extend through the sidewalls of the head box to be received by bearings which rotatably support the shaftoThe stock flows transversely of the rotating roll through the perforations in the tube, and these perforations in cooperation with the radial baffles reduce cross velocities and eddy current in the stock streams flowing therethrough, so as to obtain more or less rectilinear stock flow exiting from the rectifier roll. The absence of a shaft within the tube insures such a rectilinear stock flow.

As previously mentioned, the cylindrical tube is supported for rotation by shafts which are mounted on heads at the ends of the tube and which are rotatably carried by bearings, the bearings being supported, for example, by attachment to the head box. Heretofore, the alignment and attachmentof the shaft and rectifier roll was accomplished by vulcanizing a resilient solid elastomer sleeve to the shaft for insertion of the shaft and sleeve into the hub assembly of the rectifier roll. However, it has been determined that such a sleeve has a tendency to settle out due to the weight of the roll resulting in an eccentricity between the roll and the journal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above problem of settling and the resulting eccentricity while providing a positive alignment of the roll and the journal and permitting deflection of the roll without imposing severe stress or strain on the separator tips which attach the end plate of the rectifier roll to the cylindrical shell thereof.

According to the present invention, a rectifier roll insert is employed as the interface between the rotating shaft and the hub of the rectifier roll. The rectifier roll insert assembly comprises an annular bushing, preferably a nickel-bronze bushing, having an annular ridge around a center portion of its outer periphery and a pair of resilient strips, preferably of a synthetic rubber compound, disposed on either side of the annular ridge. A plurality of slots extending axially of the rubber strips and the bushing are provided for lubrication of the bushing and the roll hub, the roll hub being preferably of stainless steel. The hub is placed in driving engagement with a rotatably supported shaft in such a manner that the rectifier roll and hub may deflect from axial alignment with the shaft without imparting severe stress or strain to the separator tips which attach the end plate of the rectifier roll to the cylindrical shell of the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, its construction and operation as set forth in a particular illustrative example, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view, with some parts shown diagrammatically, of a flow evener for a paper-making machine employing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view showing in detail the supporting assembly for a rectifier roll; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are end views of the annular bushing and slotted strip respectively, which form the rectifier roll insert of FIG. 2. 1 i

DESCRIPTION 0 THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally an inlet "or head box for a Fourdrinier-type papermaking machine, the head box 10 receiving the stock from an upwa'rdly directed inlet conduit 11 for subsequent introduction onto the forming wire 12 wrapped about a breast roll 13 in a conventionalFourdrinier-type arrangement. The stock flows through the head box 10 from the inlet conduit 11 to and through a stock outlet in the form of a slice 14 and onto the forming wire 12 where the web W is formed.

The head box 10 may be a closed box provided with air pressure supply means (not shown) for accelerating the flow of stock to the slice 14, or the head box 10 may be as shown, an open topped box which is defined generally by a bottom wall 15 terminating in a forward apron portion 15a, a pair of sidewalls 16 (only one of which is shown), a rear wall (not shown) and a front wall 17 overlying the breast roll 13. The stock flowing in the box 10 is maintained at the level L by suitable flow control and level control means (also not shown). The stock thus flows at the level L from the stock inlet 11 to the stock outlet or slice 14 between the sidewalls 16.

A plurality of rectifier rolls, symbolized by rolls 18 and 19, in the form of vertically stacked or superimposed rolls, are positioned between the inlet 11 and the outlet 14 as here shownnear the inlet 11, so as to extend between the sidewalls 16 and to cooperate with each other in close running relationship to substantially prevent flow of stock therebetween except through one of the two rolls 18 and l9.-The stack of rolls 18 and l9 thus extends from the floor 15 to approximately the 1 stock level L, and there is minimum clearance between the roll '19 and the floor 15 and the roll. 19 and roll 18. Suitable journaling means indicated at 20 and 21 are provided for rotationof the rolls in thepositions indicated. Such journaling means are mounted in the sidewalls 16 and their general nature and function is well understood in the art. Generally, a positive drive means (not shown) is employed to effect the desired rate and direction of rotation of the rolls.

It will also be seen from FIG. 1 that another plurality of rectifier rolls, symbolized by rectifier rolls 22 and 23, are positioned in superimposed bridging relationship with respect to the slice 14 so as to receive all stock flowing through the box 10 and out of slice 14. Therolls 22and 23 are positioned in their bridging relationship as shown so that they will be spaced a short distance from the slice 14 so as to permit a reasonable amount of additional smoothing out of the flow of stock after it has departed from the rolls 22 and 23 and before it reaches the slice 14. These rolls are also suitably joumaled at 24 and 25 in the same manner that the rolls 18 and 19 are mounted for rotation. Again, the shafts 24 and 25 must have a close running relationship between each other and with respect to the bottom wall 15 and the forward walls 17.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the journaling of a rectifier roll 23, for example, for use in the system of FIG. 1. Generally shown in these figures are' a rectifier roll 23 comprising a cylindrical tube 26, an end plate 27 having separator tips 28 which are welded at 29 to land areas between the perforations (not shown). The rectifier roll 23 is secured to shaft 37 which is rotatably carried by bearings 59, 60 which, in turn, are secured to the head box 10. Q

In assembly, a rectifier roll insert 34 including resilient strips 36, 360 which are cemented to a bushing 35 is assembled into the rectifier roll hub and end section 38 of shaft 37 is press fitted into the insert 34. The hub 80 and the shaft 37 are secured in a resilient pivotal relationship whereby the hub 80 and the shaft 37 may experience axial misalignment during operation. A lantern ring 53 is placed around the hub 80 and a pair of packing rings 42, 42a are also placed around the hub 80 and the hub 80 and rings 53, 42, 42a are placed in the bore of an eccentric insert bracket 41. The eccentric insert bracket 41 is secured to the sidewalls 16 by means of clamps 51 and the stud and nut assemblies 52. In addition, a second or outer eccentric insert bracket 30 may also be employed for mounting the hub to the sidewall 16 of the head box 10. The eccentric insert brackets 41, 50 may thus be rotated for alignment of the rectifier roll 23.

The end plate 27 of the rectifier roll 23 is secured to the hub 80 by means of capscrews 49. Two of the capscrews 49 extend through the shear pin retainer 66 to secure the shear pin retainer 66 to the hub 6t) (only one capscrew shown in such relation). The shear pin retainer 66 includes a passage 45 for receiving shear pin 47. Passage 45 is threaded at one end for receiving the shear pin plug 46 which maintains the shear pin in passage 45. Shear pin 47 also extends into an elongate slot 48 of shaft 37 to insure positive driving of the roll by shaft 37 and to permit flexure at the insert 34 and arcuate along with pivotal movement of pin 47 in slot 48 upon stressing of the rectifier roll 23.

A closure seal 81 and a bearing housing end cover 58 are placed on portion 40 of shaft 37 before bearings 59, 60 are pressed onto shaft 37. A bearing housing 64 is secured to the end cover 58 by means of a plurality of machine screws 65. A lockwasher and nut assembly 62 is secured to portion 40 of shaft 37 and a bearing housing cap 61 which covers the lockwasher and nut assembly 62 is secured to the bearing housing 64 by means of a plurality of machine screws 63.

A bearing housing 64 is secured to an extension 34 of the inner eccentric insert bracket 41 by means of the nuts and bolts 56, 57 in a manner such that a gap is provided to accept adjusting shims 55 of a desired thickness.

Capscrews 44 are tightened to compress the packing rings 36, 360, the lantern ring 53 and packing clamp 43 to obtain a uniform gap 68 between the packing clamp 43 and the eccentric insert bracket 41.

A lubrication inlet 81 and lubrication passage 82 between the inlet and lantern ring 53 is provided for the rectifier roll lubrication system as is well understood in the art. Lubrication for the bearings is provided by a lubrication fitting 75 of standard design in the bearing housing 64. The apparatus is further lubricated by providing, prior to assembly, a measured amount of grease between the roll end plate 27 and a cap 31 which is press fit against edge 30 of end plate 27 and which covers the bore 33 which accepts the hub 80. Each of the insert strips 36, 36a is provided with a plurality of axially extending slots 70 and bushing 35 is provided with a plurality of grooves 74 extending axially of the bushing through ridge 73. The back pressure caused by insertion of the hub 30 into the end plate 27 causes the lubricant to be forced through the grooves 70 of insert strips 36, 36a and grooves 74 of bushing 35 and into pockets 69 formed between the sidewalls of ridge 73 of the bushing 35 and sidewalls of the resilient slotted inserts strips 36, 36a for lubricating the bushing 35 and the hub 80.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to a specific illustrative embodiment, many changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven tion as defined in the appended claims. 1

What we claim is:

1. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including:

hub means,

first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and being yieldable in directions other than rotational,

and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radial direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said sha t, said second connecting means comprising an annular bashing including an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being connected to said shaft and said outer surface including a ridge extending circumferentially thereabout, and a pair of resilient strips disposed on said outer surface on respective sides of said ridge.

2. The improvement in a flow evener for a paper machine according to claim 1, wherein each of said resilient strips and said ridge of said bushing includes a plurality of passageways in fluid communication each with the other for carrying a flow of lubricant.

3. The improvement in a flow evener for a paper-making machine according to claim 1, wherein said ridge has a triangular cross section and a plurality of passageways extending therethrough axially of said bushing, and each of said resilient strips includes a plurality of passageways, extending therethrough axially of said bushing, adjacent sidewalls of said strips and said ridge forming annular grooves for retaining a lubricant, and said passageways being in fluid communication with said grooves for carrying a lubricant through said second connecting means.

4. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including:

hub means,

means defining an elongate slot in said shaft, first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and yieldable in directions other than rotational,

said first connecting means including a pin secured to said tub means and partially extending into said slot, said slot being elongated axially of said shaft to prevent deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft while maintaining said hub means and said shaft in engagement for mutual rotation and a stress free relation between said hub means and said rectifier roll,

and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radial direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft.

5. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including:

hub means,

first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and being yieldable in directions other than rotational,

said first connecting means including means defining a bore in the shaft and a projection carried by said hub means and partially extending into said bore, said projection having a rigid radially extending member engaging the inner surface of the bore and permitting axial misalignment between the bore and shaft and projection,

and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radial direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft. 

1. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including: hub means, first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and being yieldable in directions other than rotational, and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radial direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft, said second connecting means comprising an annular bushing including an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being connected to said shaft and said outer surface including a ridge extending circumferentially thereabout, and a pair of resilient strips disposed on said outer surface on respective sides of said ridge.
 2. The improvement in a flow evener for a paper machine according to claim 1, wherein each of said resilient strips and said ridge of said bushing includes a plurality of passageways in fluid communication each with the other for carrying a flow of lubricant.
 3. The improvement in a flow evener for a paper-making machine according to claim 1, wherein said ridge has a triangular cross section and a plurality of passageways extending therethrough axially of said bushing, and each of said resilient strips includes a plurality of passageways, extending therethrough axially of said bushing, adjacent sidewalls of said strips and said ridge forming annular grooves for retaining a lubricant, and said passageways being in fluid communication with said grooves for carrying a lubricant through said second connecting means.
 4. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including: hub means, means defining an elongate slot in said shaft, first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and yieldable in directions other than rotational, said first connecting means including a pin secured to said tub means and partially extending into said slot, said slot being elongated axially of said shaft to prevent deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft while maintaining said hub means and said shaft in engagement for mutual rotation and a stress free relation between said hub means and said rectifier roll, and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radial direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft.
 5. In a flow evener for a paper-making machine having a rectifier roll and a rotatably supported shaft, the improvement comprising means for interconnecting said shaft to said rectifier roll including: hub means, first connecting means engaging said shaft and said hub means providing a positive rotational connection for mutual rotation and being yieldable in directions other than rotational, said first connecting means including means defining a bore in the shaft and a projection carried by said hub means and partially extending into said bore, said projection having a rigid radially extending member engaging the inner surface of the bore and permitting axial misalignment between the bore and shaft and projection, and second connecting means providing a positive connection in a radiAl direction and being yieldable in directions other than radial to permit alignment deflections of said hub means relative to said shaft. 